POLISTENA

Polistena is a suburb of Serre
situated midway between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts of
southern Calabria.

History

Finds dating back to the Neolithic and Magna-Greek eras
have emerged on its territory and tell of some settlements
arising from various eras.

Being a midway road between the Locri and Medma (Rosamo) Polistena
colonies, it could have been a intermediate mail station.
What is certain and documentable news, emerges beginning during
the X century, but hypothesises that activity of the Basilian
monks also gave life to the centre during previous centuries.

The 1783 earthquake destroyed Polistena, causing the death
of more than two thousand people. The inhabitants decided
to rebuild the suburb a short distance away.

It is the native land of the poet Raffaele Valenzise (1852-1838).

A visit to the City

There are some imposing churches to visit in Polistena: the
S. Marina Matrix, which preserves the Pala Marmorea of the
Deposizione (‘500s) and 17th century canvases, the Trinità
Church, the Immacolata Church with classical lines and cupola,
S. Francesco and the Rosario Church with a Baroque façade.

Not too far away, one can also visit the Medieval suburb of
San Giorgio Morceto.